Strategies for a Green Masterplan of Ports and Free Zones. EU requirements and best practices

The presentation provides a review of the different port planning tool and a reflection on the planning opportunities for developing an integrated and strategic approach. Master plans and Port development plans are the main planning tools. Master planning must also take into account the many interactions with the surrounding township, citizens needs of free access to the waterfront, social, economic and environmental constraints, and the interconnections with urban and regional plans. These elements call for a compromise between the requirements of the port and the local authorities, which is time spending, but potentially guarantees sustainable actions and a strong knowledge base (Learning port city concept). The long approval process of the traditional master plan promoted a midterm and flexible "Strategic" Master Plan, which sets out development proposals, inform planners and communities about their future objectives, engage with local and regional stakeholders. Each port needs an overall spatial vision and strategy, as a spatial quality management. Another important aspect in port planning at local level is the quality landscapes in the port area: each port place has own quality images and specific identities. The presentation gives a view of the EU trends and new port requirements, by introducing the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) and the EC Communication Ports: an engine for growth (2013), which identifies six tasks and eight EU actions needed to further unlock the potential of ports. Finally, it summarise the EU Neighbourhood Transport Plan, which promotes closer integration of the neighbouring countries to the "Blue Belt" of free maritime movement in and around Europe, and supports the implementation of the Motorways of the Sea's concept.